i could b completely wrong but i wouldn't b the least bit surprised if a lot of n koreans totally bought into the idea that he was divine; not that long ago, the emperor of japan was believed to be divine, too. in thailand (a bit different) people are sent to jail for saying anything bad about the king or even for just drawing a mustache on a picture of the king!

No, they are not faking.If they don't show enough grief, the state might put the entire family into a work camp. Fear and brainwashing from the time they are born to love the great leader.Thailands lese majeste (offending the monarchy) is one of the most severe in the world. The difference being King Bhumipol is a really nice guy that is loved in real life.

Its hard to say how much "freedom of speech" one has in such a dictatorship, but if not spoken I am sure they must feel the opression and loss of free speech. Something that we as Americans may take for granted.

there was an article in our newspaper this morning that quoted a man who formerly lived in the North and he said groups of citizens are chosen to be official mourners...they are to show their grief for the world to see. He said there might have been people smiling deep within the crowd...doing so without being seen...